Dear Friends,
We went to Vanderbilt yesterday to see an oncologist and Hannah's surgeon. The visit with the oncologist was standard protocol and the visit with the surgeon was because of a recurrence of back and leg pain.
Here's what we learned from the oncologist. A grade 2 tumor is the lowest grade(least aggressive) of spinal tumor. Grade one tumors are found only in the area of the brain. He ordered an MRI of Hannah's entire central nervous system because rarely a lone cell from the tumor will travel through the cerebral spinal fluid to another area of the central nervous system and begin to grow there. This MRI will be done in Knoxville while Hannah is home for Christmas break. The oncologist spent about 2 hours with us, examining and questioning Hannah thoroughly. We liked him a lot.
Dr. Cheng, Hannah's surgeon, decided that there are two things going on which are causing her pain. She does not have leaking spinal fluid, which had been a suspicion, although there is a pocket of fluid from the surgery which is resting in the soft tissue of her back. This however is not the cause of her pain. Dr. Cheng said that Hannah is experiencing lumbar strain as a repercussion of the surgery. He placed her in a back brace that she will wear consistently for 2 weeks and then as needed. He expects this, along with time, to resolve the problem. The leg pain is being caused by the nerves that are in the area where the tumor was removed. He said the nerves are "scarred together". The MRI shows them somewhat matted rather than trailing from the base of the spinal cord. Dr. Cheng did not give Hannah any hope that the leg pain would subside and she was discouraged by this news.
Hannah will resume physical therapy in the near future. We know that God is sovereign over her physical body. He can quiet the pain in her legs and for that we will keep asking. So many of you continue to tell us that you are still praying for Hannah. Thank you so much. We will keep you posted as we have news.
Love, from all of the Lees,
Lisa
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Thanks for the update. We are still praying and will pray for her leg pain.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Cecelia Miller
Dear Lisa:
ReplyDeleteI entirely agree: God CAN make her leg pain go away, as we know. We will continue to ASK. You guys are awesome. Much love to you, and I am happy to see that she is in such good hands, doctor wise. That in itself is a blessing.
Best to you guys.